Navigation

The Roadies

Ask Bicyclist Bob!

Bob Johnson is an avid and experienced road bicyclist who lives to ride. Bob’s using some vacation to make sure we get safely to Chicago and will be our go-to guy if the weather turns bad, the drivers turn wicked or the hills too steep. He’s happy to answer your questions about riding–no matter how simple! Bob is here to entertain your questions about riding, from simple to complex. Feel free to “Ask Bob.”

7 Responses

Okay, Bob, the weather’s turning colder and I didn’t get as much time in on my bike as I would have liked this summer. So, tell me, how do I continue my training here in Michigan in the winter months? What is the best way to get in shape for our spring ride?

The dormant Winter months are an issue with avid cyclists who live in temperate zones. Any aerobic exercise helps maintain your condition over the cold months until the weather warms up and allows you to comfortably ride on the roads again. Swimming or running are excellent alternatives.
Riding a stationary bike indoors can be tedious and mind numbing which makes it difficult to stay motivated. Spin classes are very popular and fun because you ride a stationary bike with a group under the direction of a leader who will make it interesting, hopefully.
Honestly, I think you can achieve an adequate level of conditioning within a few months of cycling if you are diligent and log several hundred miles. The human body is remarkable in its ability to gain strength. If you start with some spin classes in the late Winter months and get on the road as soon as they clear of ice, anyone should have enough time to prepare for the ride to Chicago in mid May.
As with anything, the more time spent on task equates to a higher degree of proficiency.

Okay, so here’s my next question. Our training so far has not included bike pedals fitted with clips. We’ve mostly been pushing. I would like to get some bike clips, so we’re using our quads as well as our hamstrings (do I have this right?), but I’m a little afraid of being ‘tied’ to my pedals. I’m not the most graceful person on the planet. What is your thought on this? Thanks, Bob!

Yours is a common fear among cyclists considering cleated bike shoes for the first time so they can more efficiently apply power to their pedals. It is not as difficult to disengage your feet from the pedals as you think and with a bit of practice becomes rather easy. Most cyclists who use cycling shoes with cleats swear by them and would not consider riding without them. Ascending hills is much easier. It is awkward walking with cleats on your shoes but you can get shoes that have recessed cleats that do not impede your walk. Cleats can also double as tap shoes so you can perfect your soft shoe routine at the rest stops and entertain your fellow riders.

Cycling is widely regarded as a very effective and efficient mode of transportation[5] optimal for short to moderate distances. Bicycles provide numerous benefits by comparison with motor vehicles, including the sustained physical exercise necessarily involved in cycling, that cycling involves a reduced consumption of fossil fuels, less air or noise pollution, much reduced traffic congestion, easier parking, greater maneuverability, and access to both roads and paths.`,

Meet Sue!

Sue Stauffacher is a prolific and passionate writer whose work has covered every genre in children’s literature, from picture books and independent readers, to literary and graphic novels. Her books have earned starred reviews from Kirkus, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and the Bulletin.